The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-21
AUTHORIZATION.
Monster Meeting of the Ants On the
Bluff Last Night.
Ringing Arguments By Hon. .. n.
Harris ana J. q. Setties-An OPP
po,ition Rally Near BY,

PIE last nignt. L; w@ the hrst grand
demoDh,rs'ion tf The anti .prohibi-
tionis,s Trey had spared no expense
Tor tho sccrm o. odation Of the numer
GUS co iturncy, which they had res-
son TO be!leve the popularity Of their
GAUGE would attract. A grand stand
had been erecled, which sccommo-
dated fully 200 people; besides, there
were seats arranged In circus form for
the accommodation Of the visitors.
The circus still holds on with
shekel grasping tensciiy, and much OF
the crowd which first gathered to see
the circus, but could not or were not
able to get admittance, made Q rush
to hear the speeches which suited
them most, and most probably In
keeping with their 'temperaments-the
snti-prohibitionists. Just acroes the
passage way to the wharf, and to the |
rivers edge, In the rear OF the govern
ment building, the friends Of prohibi- |
ton had also erected Q speaking stand,
and assiduously drummed mp their
followers to controvert the meet
ing Of their opponents on the
other side OF the barrier be.
tween them. The anti.prohibitionists
had occurred the services OF Arnold'e
excellent band, which had in advance
Of the meeting trayeted tho streets OF
the city az an attraction to the central
purpose on the bluff.
After several inspiriting airs from
the bard, during which fully $500
psople had formed In front OF the
grand stand, Probate Judge j. 3. Gal.
Ioway was chosen as the presiding
officer and appropriately introduced
the
HON.. NJ HARRIS,
OF Arlington. He prefaced his re-
marks by saying that he cared not Nv
no might be held In the estimation OF
his fellow citizens on a question in
volving his libeity Of speec and &C.
toa as a man. Every American"
continued he, Tin the possession Of
his Just mental faculties, who, obey
ing the law Of the land, has right-a
right reserved to act and do as he
plesses. am not cand date for pub
lie appliance. While a is always at
traciive to the man Of feeling, l have
q contempt for II, when NOT strictly
sincere. lam 70; here for favor, but
solely In response to the principles
pertaining to the governu Il Of this
country, which / deem 1t essential to
guard. ] am opposed to . policy Il
prejudice and fsnatical hate. E,-
peclally that kind which has OF late
caused 30 many ri the preachers, fol-
lovers Of the meek and los WY Jesus, to
bt come intolerant and the advocates Of
the abjeciest tyranny over the people.
i am Christian man and believe In
every Article OF ths faith. am lib.
eral in the confederation OF this ques-
tion--one which In nv opinion Is OF
the graveet i'm uoTtarcs to the people
Of the State. / say now, 10 each and
every man, II you do not believe 90
do vote sgsinst the principles / advo.
cate, but at the same time appeal TO
you as men Of spirit and indepe ndence
to give this question q fair, impartial
and judicious consiee alton. II most
vitslly rffec's your every In.
teres', your interes. In values,
tne prosperity OF the State 70
greet extent, and you should
view this question dispsssionstely aud
90 men. TINS foremost question with
Americans has been independ encs-
liberty nrd freedom for all Of her
oitiEsns. Prohibition, when calmly
and sspsibly viesed by the thought
ful man, Is clearly sglinst these car.
dinal truths. as proven By the great
apostles tf democracy. But before
, his, | wish TO state that this Il not
moral question, as % presented Ia
this amendment Il is truly
political, ard / claim that
80 Democrat In gosd faith
can indorse II. / nm q
Democrat In every 6bre and feature,
and in the name CT that party aid Il.
hallowed principles, / appeal to ev.
cry member a the faith 10 openly
rebuke this fell and feigr e | issue
which Ia nov before u.s."
Here the speaker read extracts
A from the works II Jefferson, Madison,
Seymour an9 Tildsn, touching thu
question at issue, and he challenged
Judge Heitkell, who had 90 con.
! temptuouely sneered at them, 10
prove the fslsity OF their positions.
Continuing bis argument Mr.. Harris
/ said: She position assumed by the
! Psohibitioniets on this question ID
, clearly undemocrs,ic So far a. intern.
J peiance Ia concerned, / challenge auy
I man 10 70 farther In denunciation Of
u than myself. / stand tqusrely on
the principles laid down Ia the Bible
30 lar as intemperance goes. We have
laws based on the fundamental prin
=. clples laid down Ia that sacred book
, II 10 and has always been my guide
, In response 10 those teachings and the
study Of the history OF my country, Of
! all history, /, without fear. declare
| myself opposed 10 prohibition. y
, Here the speaker quoted q message oil
, Gov. Seymour, Of New York, which
! be referred TO in glowing terme, veto.
! Ing bill that had been presented "a
|. bin providing for the abolition OF the
: liquor trsfiic. In that veto, he claimed
7 how unjust. unwlse, and especially
undemocraiic was the idea attempted
to be engrafied on the organic law oil
that State.
Temperance" said tho enthusiastic
speaker, lis a virtue. II is produce
by education and moral suasion.
zee a good many ladies here tonight
I they have more influence than nny
, other factor in our political autonomy
Not one OF them but has recited 10 her
|, son, Be temperate In all things II
10 not her fault II he Ia not. wish 10
, save her the pain, FoTow ard teprs
that 20 many OF orr devoted women
! have undergone, by wise legislation
. In the lire OF common sense, and
that will nice. with public
, approval. The Ia not a dealer In
whisky, In liqu0rs, who tesps fpt
class houfe, that does not and won d
, not willingly vote for the abolition
OF the dcggeries In which the
youth arc debluched, and IN
, Which they ere dragged and
} robbed. Cursed be- such places -
NJ. Hrris then referred 10 Jefferson
DAVIS aud his position no 20 prohibl-
| ton. afoui inc much enihnatasrn -